The Life, Letters and Work of Frederic Leighton Volume I Part 30

DEAR FRIEND AND MASTER,--All my best thanks for your kind letter, and for the enclosed photograph of your splendid cartoon; there is no need for me to tell you how greatly this has rejoiced and delighted me; by now you know that beforehand regarding every work of Steinle's (Steinleischen Arbeit), and in no work more than in this do I recognise the fulness and the brilliance of your fancy; meanwhile (as is only human) my joy is a trifle damped by the overwhelming desire to know the complete composition, and then to see the original itself. How glad I am that at last you have a worthy task!

It was a great relief to me to find that you did not take amiss what I wrote about wall painting, and that you quite understood that I could only become so wrathful regarding a matter which interests me in the highest degree. I wish with all my heart that you may discover something which will fill all requirements, while at the same time, as a bigoted frescoist, I shake my head a little at your heresy. You will certainly find me dreadfully stiff-necked, dear Friend! That is because lately I have seen fresco painting much nearer, and have compared it with oil painting directly beside it; I cannot deny that in colour I find it immeasurably more frank and stronger than its oil-neighbour, which appears muddy and dull next it. True, Cennini mentions wall painting, but only supplementarily, and after he has written at length of _buon peseo_. I certainly fall into his views again!

Now, adieu, my dear friend; once more all my best thanks; you may rely upon it, that the very first thing of mine that is photographed shall immediately find its way to you at Frankfurt; meantime, I candidly confess to you that I am quite terribly dissatisfied with my performances, and could only submit a hasty work to you.

Think often of your most devoted pupil,

FRED LEIGHTON.

(Written below by Steinle) Answered, 4th June 1858.

The following letters, dated 30th November 1857, Paris, refer to Mrs.

Orr's narrow escape from Aurungabad, owing to the fidelity of Sheik Boran Bukh, in the time of the Mutiny. It is a good example of the ease with which Leighton threw himself into the atmosphere of a situation. It reads like the writing of an Oriental!

MOST VALUED FRIEND,--The report of your gallant and generous conduct towards my sister and the companions of her flight has reached my ears, not only by private letters but also through several of the first English newspapers. From one end of this country to another, Englishmen have read the account of your loyal bearing, and from one end of the country to the other there has been but one voice to praise and to admire it; for uprightness and fidelity are precious in the eyes of all Englishmen, and honour and courage are to them as the breath of life; but _my_ feelings towards you are naturally doubly warm and grateful, for to your care and vigilance I owe the safety of a most precious and valued life, that of a beloved sister. It is to express to you this grat.i.tude that I now write, and also to beg you to accept as a small token of my regard a shawl which I send together with this letter, and which will be as a sign to cement our new friendship. Wear it in remembrance of that perilous night at Aurungabad, and in wearing it remember that on that night your fidelity won for you many new friends, and amongst the truest and most sincere count the brother of Mrs. Orr,

FRED LEIGHTON.

_To_ FREDERICK LEIGHTON, Esq., &c. &c.

AURUNGABAD, _13th July 1858_.

MOST RESPECTED SIR,--I beg to return you my humble and hearty thanks for your kindness in having sent me a revolving pistol, which was highly admired by all who saw it. I cannot be sufficiently thankful to your invaluable kindness. I shall not part with it till death, but keep it as a remembrance of your high estimation of me your unworthy servant, and ever pray for your and family's welfare and happiness.

I feel very uneasy in not hearing from Captain Orr since he left us; I beg you will kindly let me know how he is getting on, as I hear that he is not altogether very well. I was very anxious to accompany him, and he agreed to take me, but on second consideration he changed his mind. I hope some day or other to be able to see you and family by G.o.d's grace.

I conclude, sir, with my humble respects and good wishes to self and family. Hoping all's well.--I am, Sir, your most obedient and grateful servant,

SHEIK BORAN BUKH, _Silladar_.

_Thursday._

DEAR PAPA,--In accordance with your request, yesterday received, I enclose an envelope for B.B., on which perhaps you will be so good as to add his rank, whatever that may be--I believe Subahdar. I am glad the letter is right, and knowing your great epistolary facilities, I don't feel as sorry as I ought to have interfered with your design. I don't think it will fall heavily on you.

I have a great favour to ask of you; and I feel sure you won't grudge it me, as it concerns a man whose house is a second home to me: Cartwright--indefatigable as he is, he keeps constantly on the alert for any vacancy in Parliament, and is in frequent communication with Hayter on the subject. Now the representation of _Scarborough_ has just become vacant, and I should take it as the greatest kindness if you would write to that great friend of yours in that town (a banker--whose name I, if I were to sit on my head, I could not remember; but you know), mentioning Cartwright as a great friend and most appropriate man. He (your friend) is sure to be very influential amongst the townsfolk. I should wish you to say this: state who Cartwright is, his family, place (Aynhoe Park, Brackley), his relations _with Hayter the Whipper-in_ (that he may not appear _tombe des nues_), and the following creed: Pledge himself to Reform Bill with extension of franchise; considers the Educational question amongst the most important of the day; wants a thorough inquiry into India and Indian affairs (government), and is prepared to support Lord Palmerston's administration. All this is very important to mention, because _all his relations_ are hot Tories. Also, in case your friend should accept the suggestion and want to communicate _at once_ Cartwright, give his (C.'s) direction in Paris, _No. 5 Rue Roquepine_. Will you do this for me?

Please give dear Mamma a wigging for expressing no pleasure at the prospect I hinted at of running over to Bath for a day or two in the winter; tell her if she does not behave better I won't come. I would write at greater length, but my model is waiting, and I have no time.--With antic.i.p.ated thanks, your affectionate son,

FRED.

It was in the year 1857 that Leighton painted the beautiful figure of "Salome, the Daughter of Herodias," which apparently was never exhibited in any exhibition of his works till that of 1897. A sketch (see List of Ill.u.s.trations) made for the picture is in the Leighton House Collection, also other drawings of dancing figures sketched in Algiers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: STUDY FOR "SALOME, THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS."

1857 Leighton House Collection]

To his mother he wrote in the beginning of 1858:--

MONDAY, _Jan. 1858_.

DEAREST MAMMA,--Many thanks for your nice long letter, which I had been anxiously expecting not only for news of yourself but to hear what tidings had reached you from India. I am so glad dear Lina continues tolerably well considering her position. I can fully understand how dreadfully anxious poor Sutherland must have been the whole time about her. I mean to write to her myself without delay. Will you please let me have her present direction, as I don't know it? How kind Sutherland is to have remembered at such a moment about my tigerskin!

What an excellent and thoughtful creature he must be! The extract from Brig. Stuart's despatch is most gratifying and satisfactory, but I want to see it in print; where is it published? can't you somehow get it and let me have it? I have the greatest desire to possess it in that shape. What a nice letter Booran Buckh's is. I am afraid that about the regiment returning to Aurungabad is a hope not very likely to be realised. There is still a frightful deal to do in Oude. Sir Colin wants men sadly, and cavalry is particularly precious.

Mario's _etrenne_ cost me a pound, it was the least I could do. Let me rea.s.sure you, dear Mamma, about my behaviour to that amiable creature. I have been at his house often since, and am sure he is not in the least hurt; as for his thinking I was proud about his being an actor, that is so out of the question that I could not help laughing when I read the pa.s.sage in your letter. In the first place, he would never dream of suspecting me of such a piece of vulgarity, and in the next, actor or no, he still is Count Candia, and therefore more than my equal in rank.

I hope I may be with you somewhere about the 6th or 7th February, and should stay till the 10th or 11th. It would be humbug to say that I should not rather find you alone than in a whirlpool of funereal gaieties; but, however, I am at your disposal; do with me as you wish. I have been suffering very much of late from tooth and face ache. I am rather better now, thanks to, or in spite of, h.o.m.oeopathy.

Lady Cowley I have never found in yet. The Emba.s.sy parties have not begun yet. I go out almost every evening, but only in a circle of four or five houses. I can't stay at home, my eyes are too weak to do anything, I am sorry to say; I have not opened a book this winter. The Hollands are going to Naples, to my great regret; they were very kind; poor Lady Holland has only just recovered from a very serious illness.

You tell me to bring over my Algerine sketches, but I have very little to show, a few scratches only of types; my two princ.i.p.al studies are _in oils_; I can't well take those over.

I am working away at my pictures as well as the pitch-dark weather allows (which is very badly); however, I hope they may turn out well. The silent Sartoris said to-day he thought my Juliet picture "safe to succeed."

Good-bye, dear Mamma; best love to all from your most affect.

boy,

FRED.

END OF VOL. I

Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.

Edinburgh & London

[Ill.u.s.tration: "BLIND SCHOLAR AND DAUGHTER"

No. 1. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: NELLO'S SHOP: "SUPPOSE YOU LET ME LOOK AT MYSELF"

No. 2. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE FIRST KEY"

No. 5. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE PEASANTS' FAIR"

No. 6. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE DYING MESSAGE"

No. 7. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "FLORENTINE JOKE"

No. 8. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE ESCAPED PRISONER"

No. 9. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "NICCOLO AT WORK"

No. 10. "Romola"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "YOU DIDN'T THINK"

No. 11. "Romola"]